What Are Hommage Watches | And Why They’re NOT Fakes

What Are Hommage Watches | And Why They’re NOT Fakes

A clear, transparent guide for anyone curious about this growing watch category.

In recent years, a new term has gained momentum in the watch world: hommage watches.

Some people love them.
Some misunderstand them.
And many still confuse them with replicas — which they absolutely are not.

This post exists to set the record straight, honestly and transparently.
Because if you appreciate design, style, and watch culture, understanding what a hommage truly is will change the way you look at accessible timepieces.

1. Hommage Does NOT Mean Fake — Here’s the Difference

Let’s start with the biggest misconception.

A fake watch:

  • uses someone else’s brand name
  • copies logos and trademarks
  • tries to deceive people
  • is illegal
  • is part of counterfeit culture

A hommage watch:

  • uses its own brand identity
  • has no copied logos or trademarks
  • is legally produced
  • stands on its own merit
  • takes inspiration from iconic designs, not identity

This is the key:

**A fake is deception. A hommage is appreciation.**

The term “hommage” literally means “a respectful tribute.” These watches reflect the style of famous designs but never pretend to be them.

2. Why Hommage Watches Exist

Luxury design shapes culture.
People admire it, study it, and dream of it, but not everyone wants (or needs) to spend $8,000–$50,000 to enjoy an iconic look.

Hommage watches exist to:

  • offer similar aesthetics at an accessible price
  • allow new collectors to explore styles safely
  • make watch appreciation more inclusive
  • let people enjoy a design without the luxury price tag
  • give everyday buyers confidence and expression

They democratize design, respectfully.

3. Hommage Watches Are Fully Legal

A question people often ask:

“Are homage watches legal?”
Yes. Absolutely.

They do not use:

  • protected logos
  • protected brand names
  • distinctive design elements that are trademarked
  • identical movements or proprietary mechanisms

A watch brand is allowed to create:

  • a chronograph with three subdials
  • a diving bezel
  • a tonneau-shaped case
  • a minimalist dress look
  • a steel bracelet inspired by classics

As long as it does not claim to be another brand.

This is why homage watches sit comfortably in the legitimate watch industry,
they are design-inspired, not design-stolen.

4. Why Hommage Culture Is Growing

More men than ever want to express themselves through accessories. With clothing becoming more minimal and casual worldwide, watches have become a key part of modern masculine identity.

And homage watches fit perfectly into this trend because they allow people to:

  1. experiment with multiple styles
  2. own several designs instead of one expensive piece
  3. match watches to outfits, occasions, and moods
  4. enjoy watch culture without debt or pressure

It’s not about pretending. It’s about expressing.

5. Where Curren Fits Into the Hommage Category

Brands like Curren succeed because they apply the hommage philosophy responsibly:

  1. original branding
  2. reliable quartz movements
  3. masculine, modern designs
  4. durable materials
  5. accessible pricing
  6. a wide range of styles

It does not try to be a Rolex, AP, Patek, or Richard Mille. It creates watches that nod to iconic aesthetics, without copying them.

This gives buyers:

  1. the style they love
  2. the functionality they need
  3. the accessibility they appreciate
  4. the freedom to build a small collection

It’s watch enjoyment, simplified, honest and fun.

6. Why Currenstate Supports Hommage Watches

Currenstate stands for transparency, education and respect for design.

We support hommage culture because:

  1. it celebrates great design without imitation
  2. it removes financial barriers
  3. it encourages people to enjoy watch style freely
  4. it avoids the counterfeit world entirely
  5. it gives customers an honest, legal, stylish alternative

Our customers aren’t trying to impress anyone with fake brands. They are choosing watches that make them feel confident, stylish and authentic.

That’s what matters.

7. The Honest Bottom Line

Hommage watches are:

  • not fakes
  • not replicas
  • not counterfeits

They are:

  1. legal
  2. respectful
  3. accessible
  4. stylish
  5. expressive
  6. a celebration of watch design

In a world where self-expression matters more than status labels, hommage watches offer a refreshing alternative:

Iconic style, honest presentation, accessible price.

That’s why the category is growing and why it’s here to stay.

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